Posts Tagged ‘High School’

Ciara Hu, of Oak Harbor High School, swims in the final heat of the 200-yard individual medley event during the WIAA 3A girls state swim and dive championship at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way on Saturday, November 12, 2011. I have covered state swimming for many years now at the King County Aquatic Center, and this is only the second time I have been allowed access to the underwater viewing tunnel. I tried for – and was denied – access to the catwalk above the pool for a fresh angle, but don’t worry, I’ll ask again next time… “Pretty please, with sugar on top.” More photos from the meet after the jump…

Eastside Catholic Crusader DB Markell Sanders, left, and LB Zane Allen collide helmet-to-helmet while attempting to tackle Wolverine Jack Meggs during a 3A state playoff game at Bellevue on Friday, November 11, 2011. Sanders was briefly shaken up on the play. Sometimes you don’t know what you have until the play is over, and this elicited an audible “whoa” from me on the sidelines. I’m very happy both players were ok.

Note: This is a part of my effort to share single images here on Focus Northwest in the a “Photo of the Day” style, but it will admittedly be sporadic – aka not daily – with my work responsibilities. Hope you enjoy…

The ability to adapt and think quickly are traits that will serve a photojournalist well… from a breaking news scenario to a simple deadline assignment dropped in your lap. Last week I had one of those photo assignments that cropped up at the last minute and had to form a plan on my drive to the location. The photo was slated as the main art for a two part sports feature about concussions in youth sports for the Bellevue Reporter. The subject was no longer able to play football but was helping assist the coaches of his high school football team. I wanted to show the football aspect as well as the student-athlete, and had the the idea that looking out of a helmet may add visual pop. I think it worked out well. Above, senior Blake Miller photographed at Issaquah High School on Monday, September 19, 2011. Oh, and to follow up on a prior post on environmental portraits, this was all natural light.

The Mount Si High School Wildcats celebrate two early runs after Trevor Lane (2) beat a throw to the plate during the WIAA 3A state baseball championship game at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, May 28, 2011. Mount Si beat Shorewood 5-4 for the state title.

It was prep spring sports state tournament time this past weekend, and I covered baseball at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, and softball at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey. Here are some of my favorite images and moments from the weekned. More photos after the jump…

Not all photo assignments are glamorous, exciting and lend themselves to great photos. Today was one of those dreaded days when “guy speaking at podium” popped up on my to do list… Thankfully that guy was kayaker/conservationist Trip Jennings, a National Geographic Young Explorer grant recipient, who had nice visuals to accompany his talk at Redmond High School about two exploration trips to the Congo. I’ve done this “You be the Photo Editor” before with sports, and now today’s challenge is guy at podium. Below is a series of Trip speaking with different backgrounds from his presentation. The question, which frame tells the story for you? Please leave your answer in the comments.

Photography contest judging is hard. Period. As with any art, the old line “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” rings true. Judging is subjective in nature, no matter the contest, be it World Press Photo or PDN Photo Annual or the local high school. I was honored when asked to judge the annual Reflections photography category at Newport High School for the second year. The theme this year was “Together we can…” and entries were evaluated on thematic and technical elements. I’m not going to air my judging comments here on Focus Northwest, but I do want to take a moment to share the entries. Much fewer photography entries this year, but the contest had great participation across all categories that includeliterature, visual arts, music composition, film/video and choreography/dance. I look forward to helping out again next year. Please view the photo entires with their artist statements after the jump…

Skyline forward Kasen Williams (25) breaks free for dunk against Woodinville during a SeaKing 4A district tournament game at Juanita High School in Kirkland on Tuesday, February 15, 2011. I have several frames from the sequence, but these three are the peak action images. So, if you’re my photo editor which of these is your favorite frame? Which do you select for print — 1, 2 or 3? Leave you choice and why in the comments, and I’ll drop my answer and why in a little later.

Islander forward Brian Miller drives to the basket over Sammamish Totem’s John Steinberg during a game at Mercer Island on January 18, 2011.

This week presented a photographic first for me, as I had the opportunity to mount a remote camera to the backboard for a basketball game. I know this is old hat for some, and the technique has been around for a while, but it’s like buying a used car — it’s new to me. Continue reading after the jump…

Sergeant Kurtis W. Bennett, looks on as son Austin, 2, inspects his father’s the Purple Heart medal during a presentation ceremony by Sen. Patty Murray at the Jackson Federal Building in downtown Seattle on January 7, 2010. Sgt. Bennett, of Iron Company, 3D Squadron, 2D Stryker Calvary Regiment was awarded the medal for wounds received in action in Iraq in 2008.